March is Property Assessment Time/ Need Appt.

Hi All,
Will you CHALLENGE YOUR PROPERTY ASSESSMENT?

It's that time of year when all property owners have the opportunity to meet with the BOARD OF REVIEW  about your property's assessment.

Those of you who own property in Bloomfield Township should have received in the mail a notice of ASSESSMENT.  The township mailed them February 16, 2018.  Review it carefully.  This year the Assessing Department re-evaluated ALL LAND values throughout the township.  There may also have been other re-evaluations on the building(s) on your property.


NOTE:   the township has made this "assumption"  for the 2018-2019  budget:


You can find information about  YOUR address as well as all others in the township.   How? This is what is seen on the Assessing link: 
 Overview  |  Parcel/Property Taxpayer Info  |  Property Assessment  |  Assessment Notification  FAQ  |  Forms  |  Homeowner's Primary Residence Exemption  |  Proposal ASubdivision Platmap Information

When you then click on the " Parcel/Property Taxpayer Info " :  it should take you to another site powered by  BS&A  Software:   https://accessmygov.com/?uid=511
Once there you will see:  Bloomfield Township
Search:  All Records        By:  Address
......there is an arrow by records and address
 ... that means you can click on it and get a drop down menu for more choices ( like: search by Name)

Start by looking  up  YOUR address.   Hint,  If you want to know all the properties on YOUR street, or any other street)  don't put any numbers in... just the street name... without any extra wording.  ie:   no Rd.  or St.   ...  If your street does not come up... try  making the search without E. or W.  etc.   Still having problems?  Make sure you are in Bl. Township ... call Assessing for help.  (248) 433-7710  There could be many pages for your street.  Make sure you click on all the extra pages for the street.

HINT:  
When you see a comparable house to yours.... or a property you wish to use in your visit to the Board of Review...  it is best to have the PARCEL NUMBER as well as the ADDRESS.   Compare ranches to ranches,  colonials to colonials,  size of property /lot  should be similar,  how much sq. ft. in home,  any updating,  year built,  etc.    Get the recent SOLD price for any homes near you that may affect your assessment.  

Sometimes,  when you go through the effort to look for the valuation of comparable homes to yours,  you may discover that your tax assessment looks ok.   Be careful,  you can go to the Board of Review to lower your tax assessment,  but they may decide the error isn't your assessment is too high.....but too low.  They COULD raise your assessment. 

I highlighted in RED  below to remind you that you need to make an appointment to be heard at the March Board of Review.   The appointments are every 5 minutes.  Therefore,  have your case well prepared, documented and talk quickly:)   Perhaps have copies of your case ... your argument to lower your assessment....for the 3 Board members?

Most important:  GO TO THE TOWNSHIP WEBSITE /  ASSESSING/   http://www.bloomfieldtwp.org/Services/Assessing/OverviewAssessing.asp

Please take the time to click on each section of the Assessing... and learn all that you can.

NOTICE
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD
The Board of Review for the Charter Township of Bloomfield will meet by appointment at the Township Office
4200 Telegraph Road, P.O. Box 489, Bloomfield Hills, MI  48303-0489

Monday, March 12, 2018
9:00am - 12:00 noon
1:30pm - 5:30pm

Wednesday, March 14, 2018
9:00am - 12:00 noon
1:00pm - 4:00pm
6:30pm - 9:30pm

For the purpose of Reviewing the 2018 Tax Assessment Rolls.
Please call the Assessing Department at (248) 433-7710 to schedule an appointment.

Board of Review

Robert Taylor, Jr., Chairman (Expires January 1, 2017)
Furhad Waquad (Expires January 1, 2017)
Tracy D. Leone (Expires January 1, 2017)
HONESTLY,  this is typical of the Bloomfield Township website.   When I finally FIND what I am looking for on the website,  the information has not been updated.   Well, who is authorized to be on this 2018  Board of Review?   I had to go back to the minutes from 2016 to see who were the members of the Board of Review for 2017.   Turns out that the below three were reappointed,  so now their term expires January 1, 2019.
 
DEC. 12, 2016  Board of Trustees meeting minutes:

                                           

FYI:

FOR OTHER READERS of my blog that are not in Bl. Twp.  but live in the 
STATE OF MICHIGAN:  
Many municipalities use the BS&A software.   Some make the assessing information public and some have you pay a fee.
Go to:  AccessMyGov.com       go to top right hand corner and click on "Municipality"  then find your county in Michigan/  then your local municipality.  

The Township also does the Assessing for the City of Sylvan Lake.   The below link will take property owners living in Sylvan Lake directly to your city BS&A software link for assessing:
https://accessmygov.com/?uid=1654

Many municipalities have the assessing done by their COUNTY government.  That may or may not be done with BS&A software.   You'll need to contact YOUR municipality for assessing information.
Also,  the DATES  for the Board of Review many be different in each municipality.  CHECK for your information and dates with your local government.

Previous Blogs on this topic:
2016
http://bloomfieldtwphappenings.blogspot.com/2016/02/property-assessments-and-how-to.html

http://bloomfieldtwphappenings.blogspot.com/2016/02/parcelproperty-taxpayer-info-bloomfield.html

2013
http://bloomfieldtwphappenings.blogspot.com/2013/03/2013-tax-assessment-notice-chance-to.html

Property Assessments and how to Challenge/ MARCH

Hi All,
  
All of the links and much of the written words in this blog come directly from the website of Bloomfield Township, MI.  Please click on each heading in this blog to get to the township website which will give you much more information.

I did not use quotation marks.  My intent is to share the information provided about assessing generally and to notify the taxpayers that it is in early MARCH where you can challenge your property assessment formally at the Board of Review. 

FYI:  Just talking to the assessor is great and valuable, but he/she can NOT change the assessment, only explain the assessment.  If you disagree with the figures, then you need to make an appointment to be heard before the Board of Review.

First:  Pay your winter taxes.  In Bloomfield Township,  the last day to pay your winter property tax assessment without penalty is February 15, 2016. 

NOTE:   Bloomfield Township offices are closed on Fridays.  However, the Treasurer's office will be open today (2/12/16) and again on the last Friday in February (2/26/16). 
Beginning March 1, 2016  all tax payments are paid to Oakland County.

Assessment Notification

By late February, every property owner will receive an Assessment Notification:  that is an annual statement of the assessed value, taxable valuation and property classification for 2016-2017. 

How Your Property is Assessed

The Assessor takes various factors into account when establishing property value, including

• Description of the property and its improvements
• Lot dimensions
• Age of home and/or other buildings
• Land value
• Building square footage
• Value-enhancing amenities
• Vacant and improved sale properties

Click here for detailed information on how property is assessed.   This is a pdf/ wait to load.

The market value of your property is simply the probable price that it would sell for in a normal transaction between a willing buyer and a willing seller.

Proposal A 

Proposal A was approved by the voters of the State of Michigan on March 15, 1994.   What does it mean and how does it affect your property valuation? 

There is one FORM associated with this category: 
Property Transfer Affidavit (Form L-4260)

Homeowner’s Principal Residence Exemption  

 Read more on how you claim an exemption from some school operating taxes.

There are four FORMS  associated with this category:
Homeowner’s Principal Residence Exemption Affidavit
Request to Rescind/Withdraw Homeowner's Principal Residence Exemption

Conditional Rescission Principal Residence Exemption

Principal Residence Exemption Military Affidavit

 

Assessing Forms 
This section tells you about the forms. 

2016 Personal Property Statement L-4175 
2016 Affidavit to Claim Small Business Tax Exemption Under MCL 211.9(o)
Form 5076 Explanation Letter
2015 Personal Property Statement

2015 Petition to Board of Review (Form L-4035)

Disabled Veterans Exemption (Form 5107)



Assessing FAQ

This link poses questions that are frequently asked and the answers.   Don't skip this section !

Here  are questions 3-6 about challenging your property assessment at the Board of Review.   Notice that the hearings begin in March.  You must make an appointment.

3. When can I appeal my property assessment?
The Board of Review begins hearing individual assessment appeals on the second Monday in March. The assessment change notice details the dates and times of the meetings. To personally appear before the Board, you must schedule an appointment. Residential Assessed and Taxable Value disputes must protest to the Board of Review (in person or by letter) in order to appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
4. May I file a written protest without personal appearance?
Letters of appeal must be received by 5:00 PM on the last day of the March Board of Review. A written appeal should provide sufficient detail supporting your position or value contention.
5. Does the Board of Review have the authority to increase an assessment or tentative taxable value?
The General Property Tax Laws states that "The Board of Review shall correct the assessed value or tentative taxable value of the property, in a manner as in their judgment will make the valuation of the property relatively just and proper." In a number of instances, the Board of Review has raised the valuations.
6. What is my recourse if I disagree with the decision of the Board of Review?
For residential appeals the next level of appeal is the Michigan Tax Tribunal. These appeals must be filed no later than July 31st. The address of the Michigan Tax Tribunal is P.O. Box 30232, Lansing, MI 48909.
An assessment dispute as to the valuation and exemption of commercial/industrial real property, or commercial/industrial/utility personal property, may be protested before the Board of Review or appealed directly to the Michigan Tax Tribunal without protest before the Board of Review by filing a written petition on or before May 31st of the tax year involved.
 

Assessing Overview

This link gives name of Assessor and address /phone #  etc. for Bloomfield Township, MI.


FYI:   When conducting inspections, employees from the Assessor’s Office knock on your door or ring your doorbell to introduce themselves. Each individual has picture identification issued by Bloomfield Township. If you are not at home they will walk around the outside of your house to complete their inspection.

Subdivision Platmap Information
Find your subdivision in Michigan.
 

2013 Tax Assessment Notice & Chance to Appeal

Hi All,
This is the time of the year to check the mail as you should have received a 
Notice of Assessment, Taxable Valuation and Property Classification   
that gives you the 2013 assessed value of your home or business.  Your 2013  property taxes are calculated using this information.  Read it carefully.  Will you be paying more taxes in 2013?

If you believe the information on this notice is not correct, there is an appeal process.  That process is the BOARD OF REVIEW which meets on certain dates and times in the month of March.  You will have approximately 5 minutes to state your appeal.  Be prepared with facts.  I suggest you have your information in writing with a copy for the the Board of Review members.

MEET BY APPOINTMENT :  BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP OFFICES, 4200 TELEGRAPH RD.

PLEASE CALL THE ASSESSING DEPARTMENT AT (248) 433-7710 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT 
 

MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2013

9:00 A.M. - 12:00 NOON

1:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

9:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2013

1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

6:30 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013

9:00 A.M. - 12:00 NOON

1:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.

 

William D. Griffin is the department head for the Assessing Department.   Mr. Griffin, or someone in his department, can meet with you if you have questions about your assessed value. The township website is also very useful in understanding the assessing process.

  

However, if you wish to appeal that assessment figure, it is your responsibility to make an appointment and to state your reasons before the Board of Review.  Make your appointment soon, as times do fill up rather quickly.

The Board of Review is three township citizens that were appointed by the township leadership at the 12/10/12 Board of Trustees meeting.

RESOLUTION

BE IT RESOLVED to reappoint to the Board of Review the following persons with terms

expiring January 1, 2015:

Robert Taylor, Jr.

3693 W. Bradford

Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301

Furhad Waquad

4120 Telegraph Road

Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

Tracy Leone

3900 Lakeland Lane

Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

Township Website Offers More Information
The Township website has an entire section dedicated to the assessing department.  I suggest you read each link associated with this department as it will help you understand assessing in general.

 

 Services > Assessing Overview  |  Parcel/Property Taxpayer Info  |  Property Assessment Assessment Notification  |  FAQs  |  Forms Homeowner's Primary Residence Exemption  |  Proposal A Subdivision Platmap Information